Device for supporting the hands of piano-players.



N0. 653,8l4. Patented July 17, I900.

W. J. MENNES.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE HANDS 0F PIANO PLAYERS.

(Application filed Feb. 20, 1900.)

(No Modelr) Maia) WLM Jaw/166M186 UNITED STATES PATENT OEErcE.

\VILHELM JOI-IANNES MENNES, OF AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS.

DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING THE HANDS OF PIANO-PLAYERS.

SPEGIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent NO. 653,814, dated July 17,1900. Application filed February 20, 1900. Serial No. 5 ,95'7. N0 model.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILHELM J OHANNES MENNEs, teacher of music, asubject of the Queen of the Netherlands, residing at 137 GovertFlinck-straat, Amsterdam, Netherlands, have invented a certain new andusefulDevice for Supporting the Hands of Pianoforte-Players,of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 shows the arm band with the elastic bandsecured thereto. Fig. 2 shows the hook which transfers the pull of theband to the hand in side elevation and plan, while Fig. 3 shows theapplication of the device to a left hand. i

This invention relates to a device which is designed to insure thecorrect position of the hands or fingers in playing the pianoforte andmay be known by the name Lassa.

As is known, the correct position of the hands is one of the essentialconditions for good pianoforte-playing. Experts are agreed that thecorrect position is that in which the back of the hand is somewhatinclined from the little finger to the thumb. The thumb remainsstraight, while the fingers from the second joint down are drawn in,which gives the hand a gentle curvature. Any one who has occupiedhimself in pianoforte exercises knows how difficult it is to accustomoneself to this correct position of the hands. Only after years ofpractice is it possible to attain anyproficiency in this respect, andmany persons otherwise highly gifted lose their interest in playing thepianoforte because of not succeeding in acquiring the indispensableexecution, and execution-that is to say, the power of pressing thecorrect keys rapidly, surely, and in the prescribed mannercan only beattained if the learner in his exercises holds his hands in the correctposition. In the normal position of the hands the inclination is,however, in the opposite direction, the thumb being thus higher than thelittle finger. Accordingly a certain tension of the muscles is requiredin order to prevent the hand from going back out of the correct into thenormal position, and so long as these muscles are not hardened by yearsof exercise fatigue will very soon be caused thereby.

My invention is designed to produce a device whereby thepianoforte-player is forced to keep the hands always steadily in thecorrect position, without, however, being in any way impeded in hismovements. This is effected by assisting and to some extent replacingthe muscular power which must be exerted in order to keep the handscontinuously in the correct position by the elastic power of a band. Forthis purpose there is placed around the forearm, approximately in themiddle between the wrist and the elbow, a band, preferably an elasticband in order to be able to fit any circumference of arm. From this banda second band, which is also elastic, extends around the arm to the sideof the thumb, then over the back of the hand, and is finally detachablyfastened to a hook which is placed around the hand at the side of thelittle finger.

In Fig. 1, a is a broad band which is provided with a buckle b and anadj listing-slide c. On this band a, is secured a fastening spring orclip dfi Through this spring or clip dis drawn one end of the elasticband 6, which is provided at its other end with a small hook f. Thewires or threads of the material of the band 6 are longerat the outerside of the band than at the inner side, so that the band fits the armand hand well, 1

The hook g, Fig. 2, at the place where it comes into contact with thehand is covered with a piece of leather h in order to prevent the sharpedges of the hook from pressing into the hand.

Fig. 3 shows the several parts in their in-- terconnection when thedevice is in use.

The two bands Ct and 6 can be lengthened or shortened, as desired-asregards the band a by means of the adjusting-slide c and the band 6 bydrawing it more or less through the spring or clip 01 and then fasteningthe spring or clip.

As shown in Fig. 3, the band 6 is adjusted around the arm and hand andthe hook g ar ranged so that the wrist-jointi and the joint 70 of thelittle finger remain free.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The above-describedposition of the hands is produced and maintained by the drawing actionof the band a without the player being required to exert himself. The

elasticity of the band 0 replaces the work which would otherwise have tobe performed by the muscles. The band 6 rests on the back of thehand,between the wrist-joint and the joint of the little finger, andtherefore the free movement of the hand is in no way interfered with.

In order to remove or throw the device out of action, it is onlynecessary to pull the band 6 at the free end f. The hook f is then released from the hook g, whereupon the hand is immediately quite free.The two hooksf and Q can be again connected quite as quickly and easily,and the device thus brought into action.

The results which are attained with my improved hand-supporting deviceare wonderfully good.

The players hand, while being unimpeded, is constantly maintained in thecorrect posi tion, and after exercises have been played one hour per dayfor a mouth with this device it can be perceived that ones execution hasconsiderably improved, and in time the device can be dispensed withentirely. The position of the player is quiet and the touch powerful andcertain.

What I claim is- 1. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte playersthe combination of a hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand nearthe joint of the little finger, a band adapted to be secured around theforearm, and an elastic band detachably connected at one end to theaforesaid hook and arranged to be Wound around the forearm andadjustably secured at 1 its other end to the said band secured aroundthe forearm, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte players, the combinationof a hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand above the joint of thelittle finger, a band adaptedto be secured around the forearm, and anelastic band detachably connected at one end to the said hook andarranged to be passed over the back of the hand, under the wrist, andthen over the back of the forearm attached to the band secured aroundthe forearm, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

3. In a hand-supporting device for pianoforte'players, the combinationof an arched hook shaped to embrace the side of the hand above the jointof the little finger and carrying a pad 7;, an elastic band adapted tobe secured around the forearm, another elastic band detachably connectedat one end to the saidhook and arran ged to be passed over the back ofthe hand between the wrist-joint and the joint of the little finger andunder the wrist and then over the back of the forearm, said band being;attached by a clip to the band secured around the forearm, substantiallyas described, and for the purpose specified.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

\VILHELM JOHANNES MENNES.

"Witnesses:

THOMAS I-lnnnnnus Vnnr-nrvn, Aocnsr SIEGFRIED Deon.

